Go Bananas on National Banana Day!

Bananas are a popular food item and a favorite of many people. Many write the word – “bananas” on their grocery list week after week. Bananas are a long-standing fruit staple item in many households and are affordable.  I remember my grandparents eating them, declaring they were getting a source of potassium for the day, and always having them placed in a colorful fruit bowl somewhere in the kitchen.

National Banana Day is celebrated annually on the 3rd Wednesday in April.

Nutrition and Bananas

Eating fruit has many health benefits. People who consume a variety of fruits and vegetables as part of an overall balanced diet may lower their risk for certain diseases. Fruits provide important nutrients needed to maintain your body and health.

The MyPlate fruit group is red in color. We are all encouraged to make ½ of our plate fruit and vegetables. According to MyPlate one cup of fruit equals 1 large banana, 1 cup sliced banana, or 2/3 cup of mashed banana. https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/fruits

Bananas are good sources of potassium, carbohydrates, and fiber and are easy to digest. A medium banana contains about 11 mg. of potassium, 27 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber, and approximately 105 calories.  https://sed.fns.agcloud.usda.gov/resources/nutrition-education-materials/seasonal-produce-guide/bananas#header4

Bananas are – 

  • A quick snack.
  • Easy to pack for lunch.
  • A convenient grab-and-go food item!
  • Soft and easy to chew.
  • Sweet in flavor.

Food item suggestions using bananas as an ingredient – 

  • banana bread
  • banana pudding
  • banana muffins
  • banana chips
  • banana cream pie
  • peanut butter and banana sandwiches on whole grain bread
  • fruit salad
  • whole wheat banana pancakes
  • banana smoothie

Bananas & UF/IFAS Extension

Bananas are known to be one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world and have been around for thousands of years. There are many banana varieties. If you are curious about the history of bananas and growing them, read more about bananas here at UF/IFAS Extension – https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040

Reduce food waste

If you have very ripe bananas that need to be used up, consider making banana bread or muffins before they go bad. https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2023/04/11/think-about-reducing-food-waste-today/

Here are some tasty banana recipes to try: 

Banana bread – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/banana-bread

Baked bananas – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/baked-bananas

Banana cupcakes – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/banana-cupcakes

Berries with banana cream – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/berries-banana-cream

Fresh banana pops – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/frozen-banana-pops

Banana walnut oatmeal – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/banana-walnut-oatmeal

Banana pancakes with apple topping  – https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/banana-pancakes-apple-topping

Learn more about healthy eating

Follow the rainbow for good health, UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County Family and Consumer Sciences – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/03/01/follow-the-rainbow-for-good-health-during-nutrition-month/

Get Health Benefits this Summer: Focus on Fruits and Vegetables, UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County Family and Consumer Sciences – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/07/01/get-health-benefits-this-summer-focus-on-fruits-and-vegetables/

USDA MyPlate, Fruits – https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/fruits

#FoodIsOurMiddleName

#PreventFoodWasteWeek

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Posted: April 17, 2024


Category: Crops, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching,
Tags: April National Banana Day, Banana, Banana Bread, Banana Bread Recipe, Banana Favorite Fruit, Banana Smoothie, Bananas, Bananas Are A Convenient Grab And Go Food Item, Bananas Are A Quick Snack, Broward, Broward County, Eating For Good Health, Eating Fruit Has Many Health Benefits, Extension, Florida, Gardening, Growing Bananas In FL, Growing Bananas In Your Florida Home Landscape, How Can I Reduce Food Waste?, National Banana Day, Nutrition And Bananas, Potasium, Reduce Food Waste And Use Up Ripe Bananas, UF/IFAS Solutions, What Is Tne Nutritional Value Of A Banana??, Where Do I Find Recipes Using Bananas


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